Slow-Cooker Steak and Guinness Pie

This simple version of the classic Irish dish has the distinctive bitter flavor of Guinness stout. Although it’s slow-cooked, the hearty beef stew requires minimal prep time. When it’s ready, the puff pastry “tops” are baked separately and served alongside.

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Preparation

In a large bowl, combine the flour, 2 tsp. salt, and 1 tsp. pepper. Toss the beef in the flour mixture to coat. Transfer the mixture (including excess flour) to a 6-quart slow cooker and then add the carrots, onion, garlic, and thyme. Slowly pour in the Guinness and then stir in the beef broth. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours. Add the potatoes and continue cooking until the meat and the potatoes are fork-tender, about 1 hour more.

Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 375°F. Coat a large rimmed baking sheet with the cooking spray. On a lightly floured surface, roll the puff pastry sheet into a 10×14-inch rectangle. Put it on the prepared baking sheet and bake until golden-brown, 15 to 18 minutes. Remove from the oven, let cool slightly on a rack, and cut into quarters.

To serve, lay the puff pastry quarters in 4 wide, shallow bowls and spoon the stew over the pastry.

Great taste. I own your basic high/low crock-pot. I put the potato's in at the start. Also amended with additional ingredients, baby bella mushrooms sweated out in a cast iron pan in butter, thin sliced shallot, fresh hulled peas, coarse chopped celery. All into the pot and walk away. That why you want a slow-cooker recipe in the first place isn't it?